CONWAY, Ark. _ The Missouri State Bears scored a single run in the fourth inning Friday and made it hold up in a 1-0 victory over the University of Central Arkansas Bears on a sunny but cold Opening Day at Bear Stadium.

The visiting Bears turned three hits into a run off UCA starter Gavin Stone in the fourth and then survived a late UCA rally. The Bears, who left various runners on base in the early innings, loaded the bases in the ninth inning with a leadoff single by senior third baseman Beau Orlando, followed by a pinch-hit single by senior Christian Brasher.

A sacrifice bunt by senior catcher Nathaniel Sagdahl moved both runners up but senior center fielder Josh Ragan struck out for the second out of the inning. Junior transfer Connor Emmet drew a walk to load the bases but pinch hitter Kolby Johnson grounded into a fielder's choice to end the threat.

Stone (0-1), a junior from Lake City, was solid, allowing five hits and 1 one while striking out three and walking none. Senior lefthander Brad Verel pitched the final three scoreless innings for UCA, striking out 2 and allowing 3 hits.

MIssouri State starter Logan Wiley got the win with 7 innings of three-hit ball, striking out 7 and walking none. MSU got a one-out single in the fourth before an RBI double by cleanup hitter Dakota Kotowski scored the game's only run. UCA center fielder Ragan threw out a runner at home for the final out of that inning. 

The Bears tried to tie it in the eighth against a pair of MSU relievers. Cole Fiori and Coby Potvin drew consecutive one-out walks but were left stranded.

Orlando finished 2 for 4 for the Bears. Four diffferent MSU players had two hits each. Hayden Juenger got the save for MSU with 1.1 innings of relief.

Game 2 is set for 1 p.m. Saturday.